Queen Clover with her royal court.
Animals are a daily wonder to observe. Someone mentioned my farm being like a peaceable kingdom yesterday in the comments, and that is so true in many ways, even while there is some competition at times amongst them. There is head-butting between the goats. Some stomping from the donkeys. Chickens trying to beat each other out for a scrap of bread. There is not much funnier than a little hen running away with a piece of bread in her mouth with a bunch of chickens–and two or three goats and a donkey–chasing after her.

But, mostly, there is much love.

Goats snuggling up to take a nap.
A rooster and a hen, side by side in the grass.
And the ducks, oh the ducks!
They cling to each other with an obsessive devotion. A few evenings ago, five of the ducks waddled into the chicken house for the night before realizing they’d lost one. She was in the goat yard and she was in such a panic, she couldn’t find her way out. Quacking. Desperately! The five ducks waddled back out of the chicken house, all astir. Quacking. Desperately! I ran into the goat yard and, perhaps due to her desperation, perhaps due to her wild panic, the lone duck let me pick her up and take her to her comrades. There was such jubilation. Such quacking! And they all ran into the chicken house together, their world set aright.

There are those, like Jack, who wish they could get more lovin’.
And those, like Annabelle, who don’t know how to love the one they’re with.
And those, like Jester, who don’t really want any lovin’ at all.
We can’t forget the timeless love of Kitten and Little, of course.
And Pocahontas will even put up with a chicken on her back.
But her newest, greatest passion is for Coco.
Well, perhaps the love is all on Poky’s part. The Giant Puppy isn’t sure how to deal with it.
Poky drapes herself over her object of adoration.
She nuzzles her huge lips all over Coco’s face.
She chews on her ear.
And chews on her ear.
Coco tries to escape.
Poky follows and she says….Let me go with you, Giant Puppy!
Wherever you go, I will go.
Wherever you live, I will live.
Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
Wherever you die, I will die, and that is where I will be buried. May the Lord’s worst punishment come upon me if I let anything but death separate me from you!
And Coco says….
“Sheesh…..
…. OKAY ALREADY!”

i enjoyed the video clip.too funny! i raise dachshunds and there is always one in the bunch that saves thier treat only to tease the rest. i just voted and i was 16009. when is it over? the best of luck to you suzanne.

Cute post! I love donkeys, have 5 of them, so this is just precious to me. My stud donkey, Hawthorne, makes a face just like Jack’s. Turns his head to the side looking pitiful, wanting a pat or a treat. OK, he want a treat usually! Alright, always! But I like to love him up when he does that forlorn look.

What a terrific start to my day. The animals are a joy in life. Love the chicken and her tenacity in hanging on to her piece of bread. Watched it twice just for the sheer enjoyment of it. When I voted this morning you were at 16076. Way to go.

Your blog is becoming an obsession of mine! It’s the first thing I read when I sit down at my desk! It now has its rightful standing over facebook. Can you believe that? I love your farm. I love your animals. Is there ever a “voyeurs” meet-up where all of us that peek into your life can come and see the Kingdom?? (=

I saw that post, but wasn’t sure if it was a Chickens In The Road Party or real life friends. I am soooo there next year! Might even do some diggin’ into cemetaries out there and go see where my great-grandparents are buried!! (not far from Stringtown!)

Ok, that wasn’t the post I’d seen. I’ve been trying to chronologically go back and read your blog but I’m definitely missing things! Thanks for the link! Now I wonder what else I’ve missed! So much Chickens In The Road… So little time!!! readreadreadread

Coco and Poky are so adorable. This morning I just had to show your blog to my Grandkids before they left for school. That may have been a boo boo on my part because my five year old has said Sheesh at least a billion times and hasn’t even gotten on the bus yet. Too funny. Just shows to go you that your humor amuses all ages, you’re the best. Linda in New Mexico

Oh, the chickens! The chickens! That hen did a great job of carrying the “torch” and staying ahead of the rest of the group. They were all so funny! And Pokey must think Coco is just a white miniature donkey, but with more hair!!! It must be wonderful to look out from the porch and see the interspecies love…

2 cups whole wheat flour, and I needed about 6 1/2 cups unbleached white. Then I let the whole thing rest and to proof in the fridge overnight. I took out half of the recipe yesterday, and made a loaf and four buns…wow, is this ever great bread. This am, I just finished off some great toast, and ham & eggs.

I am really enjoying your site….(I grew up on a farm)

Thanks for all the great info, and tips that you most generously give out..

Your litte donkey is just the cutest~love the innocent face!! I read your blog before leaving for work just to see the title of the post then when I get to work its the first thing I do when logging into my computer. Its become the highlight of my work day!
Thanks so much for sharing your life on the farm with us.

I had so much fun watching the chicken and bread. And Coco and Pokey are too cute. Thanks for your blog. I look forward to it every day. You are now over 17,000….way to go!!!! I haven’t missed a day.
You are a definite winner!

I wish there were some way for us to tell them why we think you deserve the job. I, along with, many others, read your blog each morning as part of our morning routine because you do make us feel good.

I came upon your blog and have had a wonderful time wishing I was your neighbor. I am quite a bit behind the times we just got our first computer about 6 months ago. My husband has MS and so life has taken us on a detour we hadn’t intended to take. But my dream is to have a burro and a couple of pygmy goats to go with my other four legged kids. You put a smile on my face which is more difficult to do these days. And the chicken stories reminded me of my growing up in the country many years ago. I too had mean rooster, given to me as a cute, fluffy, white ,ball of fuzz from my well meaning sisters. His name was Hubert.God bless my dear friend and continue to do what you do so well.

Wow… I love your blog, your way and your life. It’s amazing and so familiar to me. Most of all I mean on a farm life and all the joys it brings to the people who understand the beauty of it. Say HI to your lovely goats and all the rest inhabitants

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"It was a cold wintry day when I brought my children to live in rural West Virginia. The farmhouse was one hundred years old, there was already snow on the ground, and the heat was sparse-—as was the insulation. The floors weren’t even, either. My then-twelve-year-old son walked in the door and said, “You’ve brought us to this slanted little house to die."Keep reading our story....

Oh, oh. I held off on my planned holiday order just because I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by holiday chores. Now I may have to make it a self birthday gift for spring. BUT IT WILL HAPPEN!Old Geezer on The Pepperoni Roll Rush

We love our pepperoni rolls, I made 4 dozen this morning, cut the pepperoni last night to save time.The. house smells so good.Joell on The Pepperoni Roll Rush

I know you are always extremely busy this time of year, but WOW!!! Good to see a post - I'm sure it will be a while before you have time to post again, so Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...lol! yvonnem on The Pepperoni Roll Rush

I ordered pepperoni rolls last year for a friend's birthday and they werea big hit! mgwolson on The Pepperoni Roll Rush

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